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New York City: Three Days of Urban Wonders and Skyline Splendors

NEW YORK CITY!!! Ahh, just typing the words brings joy to my heart. When you walk off the plane, it’s

an instant energy - Queue “concrete jungle where dreams are made of, there’s nothing you can’t do, now

you’re in New York” (Alicia Keys, New York State of Mind). Get ready for a lot of fun, even more walking,

and sights that are simply amazing. Please keep in mind that I usually pack a day full of activities. It’s

important to me to get the most of my time. If going non stop isn’t you’re jam, just cut the days in half

and take your time! You’ll want to come back anyway, so you can knock the rest out next time.


Day 1: Manhattan Top Sights:

Start between 8am-9am


Times Square

This stop is free, unless of course you want to take in some shopping

  • The subway, basically every line possible, stops right in the heart of Times Square

  • Breakfast at Ellen’s Stardust Diner: 51 st and Broadway: In all honesty, the food is mediocre but it’s the experience you can’t beat. Enjoy your meal with some very talented, Broadway aspiring singers and dancers. Just be prepared to wait in line- it moves past but people line up down the block. Ellen’s is open from 7am to midnight daily, including holidays and the wait staff sing from open to close.

    • Fun fact: A lot of the wait staff are working towards careers in Broadway, or currently perform, so any tips given help them continue chasing the dream

  • Visit the M&M store

  • Check out the dancers in the street

  • Walk around and enjoy the incredible sights, including the world famous “Broadway Spectacular” (Mega Screen)

    • You have the opportunity to join the audiences of many morning news shows. You just need to visit the site and request your tickets. They are free and such a cool experience.

    • Visit 1iota - Free Tickets For Fans to find the shows eligible for free ticket requests

Statue of Liberty

$ Hop on the subway at the 42nd Street station- Red 1 to South Ferry (Battery Park)


Little Italy and Chinatown:

Hop on the Green 4 train- Exit train at Brooklyn Bridge- City Hall and walk

about 0.4 mile to Chinatown

  • Be prepared to be greeted by vendors prompting you to buy luxury dupe bags and accessories

  • It’s not Chinatown if you don’t walk by the fish markets (just be prepared for the smell). The fresh fruit carts and markets are great as well! (Mott Street between Hester and Grand is the main market stretch)

  • Visit the Mayana Buddhist Temple

  • Walk towards Mulberry and run into Little Italy

    • Picture pit stop at the Little Italy entrance on Mulberry Street at Broome Street

  • Have lunch at literally any restaurant in Little Italy. Restaurant employees stand on the street and invite you in. Many of the locations have a menus out front but they are all pretty similar.

  • Sit out on street in the outdoor areas and be prepared to eat!

  • Have gelato for dessert or early afternoon snack

Macy’s at Herald Square:

Walk to Canal Street Station and hop on the N train Uptown, ride to 34 st- Herald Station

  • The largest Macy’s store, the original flagship, and the location of the headquarters

  • Floors of shopping and food stops if you need a pick me up

  • Toys R Us recently opened here

Empire State Building:

$ Walk 0.2 miles from Macy’s

  • Reservations are required, but you can buy same day and close to the same time but I would recommend buying them ahead of time to guarantee your slot time. At this point you would need later afternoon tickets.

  • Choose from 86th Floor Observatory, 102nd, and 86th Floor Observation Decks

    • 86th floor: $44 adult and $38 Child

    • 102nd and 86th : $76 adult and $73 Child

  • Other opportunities available by visiting Buy Empire State Building Tickets Empire State Building

    • The 86th floor observatory is the iconic location that you see in movies and pictures

      • Picture Pit Stop


  • In my opinion, the 86th floor observatory gets everything you need and provides breathtaking views.

  • On the way up, you will be guided through history and displays... it’s a really neat experience and totally worth the price.


Dinner on the first day:

I have a few options below. I recommend looking up the menus and deciding from

there. These are all tried and true favorites! Just use your maps to find the best way to get to the restaurant of your choice! Be sure to choose transit!

  • Ralph Lauren The Polo Bar: 1 E. 55th Street

  • Joe’s Pizza: Multiple locations

    • Casual and inexpensive, but uber famous

  • Katz’s Delicatessen: 205 East Houston St (East Side Manhattan)

    • One of New York’s most famous restaurants

    • Variety of foods on the menu but they are known for the pastrami

Quick stop for dessert, if time allows:

  • Serendipity 3 : 225 E 60th St

    • Home of the frozen hot chocolate and really the only thing you need.

    • You can now share the frozen hot chocolate! They even have an expensive hot chocolate with real gold!

    • Selena Gomez is part owner!


Day 2: Head to Brooklyn and Back

Breakfast:

Have a bagel at any local shop near you

  • New York’s “iconic” bagel has salmon on it, lox and cream cheese

Rockefeller Center:

Subway: 47-50th Street Station- Rockefeller Center

  • If it is Christmas time, ice skating and The Rockettes are must dos

Top of the Rock:

30 Rockefeller Plaza

Columbus Circle:

Walk to 50st Station and ride the Red 1 to 59th St-Columbus Circle

  • A quick pit stop to see an iconic place in NYC- shops and bathrooms available

  • Turnstyle Underground Market (Under the 59th St- Columbus Circle station) ride elevator

Lunch:

Grab a bite at one of the local restaurant pop ups at the Underground Market

  • Shop with the locally owned stores

9/11 Memorial and One World Trade:

Board the Red 2 Downtown at 59th-Columbus Cir station to Park Place and walk 0.3 miles to 285 Fulton St

City Hall:

0.5 mi walk

  • Stop by for a look and maybe a picture spot

Brooklyn Bridge:

800 feet walk from City Hall

  • Walk over the bridge to Brooklyn

  • 1.1 mile walk with many vendors along the way

  • Picture Pit Stop

    • Giving the best views in all of the city

Walk through Brooklyn

  • Go to DUMBO (Washington Street)

    • Photo Pit Stop—Iconic Bridge Picture from NYC

  • Visit local gift shops around the neighborhoods

  • Jane’s Carousel (1 Old Deck St)

    • May need to Google walking directions or take an Uber



Have Dinner at Grimaldi’s before heading back over the bridge (1 Front St)

  • Best pizza in New York

Right under the bridge is an amazing ice cream place- Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory

  • 14 Old Fulton St

  • Enjoy dessert

Head back across the bridge

  • Can get a subway back or Uber

Time to do anything you want if needed:

  • Highline if you aren’t tired of walking

  • Rooftop Bars

Day 3: Central Park and Beyond

Breakfast:

Angelina Bakery (1675 Broadway in Times Square)


Washington Square Park:

Get on Red 1 Train at Times Square 42 St, ride to Christopher St- Sheridan Sq, walk 700ft to destination

  • View the famous arch that is showcased in many movies

  • Picture Pit Stop

  • Walk around the park, enjoy the sites and see the famous chess matches

Greenwich Village:

Short walk from Washington Square Park

  • Walk through the village and visit all the local shops- there are several great shopping stores, including Sarah Jessica Parker’s flagship Shoe store (385 Bleeker Street)

Chelsea Market:

Quick walk from Greenwich Village

  • Walk through the market and enjoy lunch at one of the many delicious places (all types of cuisines)

  • Depending on the time of year, there may be events hosted outside of the market

  • Visit Starbucks Reserve outside of the market for a quick pick me up

Fifth Avenue:

Board the Yellow F Train at 14st and ride to 47-50 st Rockefeller Center. Walk to 5th avenue

  • Explore all the shops (they are known for their window displays and luxury stores)

  • Even if you aren’t planning to buy anything, you should definitely go in the stores and walk around (Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue)

Central Park:

A quick walk from Fifth Avenue

  • You can ride one of the bike pulled cars and get a tour (price negotiation available)

  • Rent a bike and ride it however I would recommend walking over this because the pathway for bikes isn’t great

  • Walk the park, sit and enjoy the views on the greens, go to the fountains, and find all the movie spots

  • Have dinner at Tavern on the Green or head back to the room and change and go to Junior’s Cheesecake to prepare for a night out at Broadway

Broadway:

A must do no matter how many times you visit

  • Top Show Recommendations: Wicked, The Lion King, Chicago, Waitress

  • Most shows start around 7 so pay attention to the time

    • Tickets available online or you can stand in line to get a lottery broadway ticket but I don’t really recommend that. You will waste a lot of the day waiting, but you may get the ticket at a much lower price.

Dessert:

If you don’t go to Junior’s for dinner definitely hit after the show and try the world famous Cheesecake (it’s amazing)—1515 Broadway at W 45th St


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